BA 'pensions blackmail' in push for third runway

Trouble: British Airways is accused of trying to blackmail retired staff into supporting a third runway at Heathrow

British Airways has been accused of seeking to "blackmail" retired staff into backing Heathrow expansion by suggesting their pensions may be at risk.

The airline has sent a leaflet to former workers urging them to write to Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly to back plans for a third runway.

The four-page pamphlet highlights a warning that the "security" of pensions for retired staff depends directly on the success of BA and Heathrow.

Uxbridge Tory MP John Randall said it was a "sign of desperation" to gain support for expansion, adding: "It's emotional blackmail of the worst kind."

In the leaflet, BA chief executive Willie Walsh says former employees have an "important role to play" in Heathrow's future and points out that the Liaison Council, which represents retired staff, has backed the plans.

A quote in large print from Sigrid Mapp, chairman of the council, says: "As pensioners, the security of our pensions depends directly on the longterm success of British Airways and that again depends on the success of Heathrow."

Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said: "Irrespective of the rights and wrongs of Heathrow expansion, former employees of British Airways should not be subject to this sort of pressure and manipulation ... people should be able to make up their own minds.

"I am very concerned that BA has chosen to exert this pressure on its former staff, which I believe is inappropriate and unhelpful to the debate."

But a BA spokesman said: "Any suggestion British Airways would bully any of its staff, retired or current, to support expansion is entirely without foundation. The Liaison Council operates independently of British Airways. It communicates with retired staff in the way it wishes."

In the leaflet, Mr Walsh makes the case for a third runway to ease congestion at Heathrow and for changing runway operations to create more take-off and landing slots.

He says: "As a retired member of staff, you will know more than most the importance of Heathrow to the history of British Airways and you also have an important role to play in its future.

"In 2008, the Government will make its decision on adding capacity at Heathrow. I am strongly in favour of development. I hope you will be able to respond to the Government's consultation and support the proposals."

A cut-out coupon, to be signed and sent to Ms Kelly, says: "I am writing to state my support for your proposals to expand the capacity of Heathrow airport...."

The plans would increase the number of flights from 450,000 a year to more than 700,000.

BA chairman Martin Broughton stresses in the leaflet that expansion would help to safeguard the 172,000 jobs "supported" by the airport and lead to fewer flight delays.

Former BA chairman Lord Marshall also urges retired staff to support the plans.

John Stewart of campaign group HACAN ClearSkies said dozens of retired staff had been in touch about the leaflet.

"This is scaremongering of the worst kind by British Airways," he said. "They are causing many older people to worry unnecessarily ... any responsible company would have already secured their pensions."